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On Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2:30 p.m. at Fortuna City Hall at the regular monthly public meeting of the Rohner Community Recreation and Park District a discussion about a community pool is going to be on the agenda.

The new McLean Foundation Community Center currently under construction has property for us to use for a community pool.
There are grant opportunities available to finance a community pool.

The closest public pool is in Arcata, more than 25 miles from Fortuna.

Families in the entire Eel River Valley would utilize, and benefit from, a community pool: Fortuna, Ferndale, Loleta, Hydesville, Carlotta, Rio Dell, Scotia, and more.

It would add to our community’s recreational value and attract people to our community.

It would add to our overall property values.

It would be a source of employment for area teens and adults to check-in patrons, serve as lifeguards, teach swimming lessons, sell concessions, etc.
It would be a social outlet and bring families together in the community.

We could offer many aquatic programs such as swimming lessons, water safety, water aerobics, and other fitness and therapeutic activities for children, adults, and seniors, including competitive swim teams for our youth.

The facility could be built for indoor/outdoor use. The indoor facility could include a larger lap pool with a diving board for year round use by a swim team for practice and meets, for swim lessons, water fitness classes, lap swim, open swim, birthday parties, etc. The outdoor facility could be geared towards children and include features such as zero-depth entry, fountains/jets, water slides, a sand area, concessions, etc.

Some municipal aquatic centers are generating income by building cabanas, pavilions, and celebration rooms, which can all be rented out.

And, most importantly, swimming is a critical life-saving skill that everyone should have. With all the wonderful water-related recreation opportunities in Humboldt County it is irresponsible of us to allow any student to graduate from high school without knowing how to swim, to save their own lives or the lives of others.

Don’t let this opportunity get away from us. Please come to the meeting on Jan. 2 to show the city of Fortuna that you support this worthy goal.